• Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
Dec 8, 2009
Dec 8, 2009

Ornamental Square from a Tunic

Ornamental Square from a Tunic

400s

Egypt, Byzantine period, 5th century

Tapestry weave with supplementary weft wrapping; undyed linen and dyed wool

Overall: 16.5 x 16.2 cm (6 1/2 x 6 3/8 in.); Mounted: 24.1 x 23.8 cm (9 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.)

Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1982.80

Location

not on view

Download and Share

Download
Creative Commons CC0
Print
Social share

Description

This mythological scene of the first labor of Hercules and the capture of the Nemean lion originally decorated the front, back, or shoulder of a unisex linen tunic. Hercules was tasked with performing 12 labors as penance for slaying his own wife and children. Hercules carries a club, and a lion skin appears slung over his shoulder, serving as impenetrable armor. His companion, Iolaus, carries his bow and quiver on the right. The small figure in the center is unidentified. Knotted ornaments fill the corners, surrounded by a broad purple border edged with a running wave motif.

See also
Collection: 
T - Coptic
Department: 
Textiles
Type of artwork: 
Textile
Medium: 
Tapestry weave with supplementary weft wrapping; undyed linen and dyed wool
Credit line: 
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.